It took a stunning goal to separate First Division rivals Devonshire Colts and PHC Zebras at Frog Lane field.

Mark Ray let fly from 30 yards with a shot that dipped sharply beating the outstretched hand of PHC goalkeeper Demian Tucker and taking Colts into the next round of the cup.

A short Germaine Burt corner found Quincey Aberdeen on the right and he looped the ball outside the crowded penalty area to pony-tailed Ray. Ray took it down and unleashed a shot that looked to be going over but the dip took it in for his fourth of the season.

He said: "We have been working on short corners in training. The ball just came to me and I took my time. I was concentrating on my technique and it dipped in. I haven't scored one like that this season!'' The 32nd-minute goal topped a fine all-round performance by Ray, he was involved in everything the busy Colts produced.

Despite long periods of PHC pressure, including a string of five corners in the first 10 minutes of the second half, the home team always looked more dangerous.

Aberdeen, Ellington Weldon and Harrison Trott caused the Zebras' defence constant problems with their snaking runs.

After 13 minutes, Aberdeen skipped inside Meshach Wade to pass to Ray whose 20-yarder was superbly saved by Tucker. From the resulting corner, Tucker making a reflex stop from Burt.

Following the goal PHC started to put the pressure on the Colts' defence. Ray gave away a free kick in his own penalty area but Sammy Swan's shot was easily dealt with by Antoine Lightbourne.

The introduction of Randy Boyles for Raynel Lightbourne, in the 62nd minute, was almost inspired when the tall man nearly scored with his second touch after taking the ball down on his chest. But the shot went wide. Colts finished the game stronger with Trott and Weldon going close. And substitute Keishon Smith almost made it 2-0, challenging Lightbourne for a long ball.

Smith headed the ball over the 'keeper but it bounced safely past the right-hand post.

Swan continued to cause problems lifting the ball into the box where Boyles beat the 'keeper only to see the ball balloon over the bar off Derek Wright's leg.

One spectator will remember the day for a long while. The unfortunate woman took a Meshach Wade special full in the face from only a few yards, causing her to tumble to the ground. She was helped by officals but was not seriously hurt.

Devonshire Colts: A.Lightbourne, D.Williams, D.Wright, J.Samuels, V.Ball (J.Bean, 79 mins), G.Burt, L.Hypolite, M.Ray, H.Trott, E.Weldon, Q.Aberdeen (K.Smith, 82 mins).

PHC: D.Tucker, M.Wade, B.Bean, M.Dill, B.Simons, S.Swan, O.Steede, T.Russell (N.Simons, 70 mins), D.Wolffe, S.Ming, R.Lightbourne (R.Boyles, 67 mins).

Referee: Frank Drayton.

Men of the match: Mark Ray (Devonshire Colts); Sammy Swan (PHC).